Boris, Love your blog so far and as an Auto Electrician I have to agree with you on the changes you are making and if I would have one criticism the switches you have used, I would have used original Lucas switches to match the cars existing switches. I intend to keep my dash as a veneered dash and incorporate my additional switchgear and instruments similar to you. I do like the idea of the under-dash panel as my car has a "magic wand" gearchange which I would like to keep.

I know what you mean about the 'Lusas' style switches Bryan but these days there are so many other types available that I thought I'd go for something a little more modern for the under dash's.

I have used the 'Lucas' style toggle switches and seperate indicator lights on the main Dash but the "Under Dash's are more for practical purpose than the main Dash which I wanted to keep as much in keeping with the original dash style as possible.

My original dash laquer was very badly split and chipped and I already had some left over Cream Vinyl which I thought might work and just be that little bit 'different'.

With all Minis its always down to individuallity and the possibilities are endless which is why, even today, Minis Elfs and Hornets are still very popular.

Thanks Jared. Theres still some "tweeking" to do with the Dash and I'm not totally happy with some of the vinyl which I may re-do at a later date but Its turned out not too bad for a first attempt ....... so far ! I usually work with grained and darker or Black coloured vinyl for the dash's which is more forgiving than this lighter coloured Cream vinyl.

I've got water ingress problems at the moment ! Its officially British Summertime now so the rain is a little less cold !!!So far I've tried 2 new different sized drivers door seals, fitted a new drivers door weatherstrip and a new passengers side rear opening side window seal !The joys of Minis and wet weather ! ........ and its not even "Winter"" yet !!!

Thats possible Bryan - never say never - but I've stuffed dry newspaper all over there and removed the front carpet completely so I'm pretty sure its the doors and rear side windows that are the problems !

Its not gonna be a permanent fit and will probably spend 90% of the time hanging up in the Garage but at least it'll be ready when needed.The big secret with this type of roof rack is to NOT leave it on the car in the rain in this country cos it'll rust away quicker than you can say "Riley Elf" !!! Thats also the reason that these original items are now few and far between !

We went to The UK National Motor Museum at Beaulieu yesterday for The Mini Cooper Register's annual concourse Show and display, and a great day it was too. I bought some odd bits and pieces for the Elf from the many Traders that were there including the correct size Rubber Gear Stick Gaiter - a larger sized item (Mk2 Mini) than the present one (Mk3 Mini onwards) which should cover that hole in the floor properly. Looked for, but couldnt find, a securing ring for it so if anyone out there has one I'd be very interested ??? Also got a new chromed Speedograph air filter, a couple of Union Jack 'A' Panel badges and a used Mini Mk2 switch panel and chrome surround that I can cover in the same vinyl that is on the dash and then swap with the existing panel to improve the dash looks. The Wood & Picket firm were there and I had bought a new Heater cable off them a while ago which broke the first time I pulled it out, so I wanted to ask them if they had heard of that problem before and if they knew the best way to cure the problem - they did - they gave me a new replacement Heater cable FOR FREE !!! I'll probably remove the broken cable now and Araldite/bond it to effect a strong joint then keep that as a good 'spare' !

Just checked out a website:https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/ and it would appear that last year there were only 12 1966 Riley Elfs left? My is currently on a SORN and I understand from the previous owner that it was on a SORN when he sold it to me. I don't know if this is genuine but I can't believe so few are left?

Bryanthemercman wrote:Just checked out a website:https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/ and it would appear that last year there were only 12 1966 Riley Elfs left? My is currently on a SORN and I understand from the previous owner that it was on a SORN when he sold it to me. I don't know if this is genuine but I can't believe so few are left?

I don't really agree with that site in terms of figures. They seem to be quite far off a lot of the time.